Alhaji Zubairu Kassim

05/01/2025

My outfit on Friday, January 3, 2025, hosted a farewell dinner for the 2025 Charlottesville Sister-City Delegation to Winneba.

The team had arrived in Ghana to partner with the good people of Effutu for the celebration of the Masquerade Festival, which forms part of our rich cultural heritage.

The glittering indoor event, which was held at the Municipal Assembly’s main conference room, brought together the crème de la crème of the Effutu Traditional Council, the Assembly’s Management, and the Charlottesville contingent to Winneba for a night of celebration, fine dining, music, and dance.

The night also provided a platform for high-spirited networking and camaraderie among the Charlottesville-Winneba Sister City Union members and peers while celebrating the mutual benefits realized from the union of friendship and brotherhood over the years.

I expressed my delight at the gathering, highlighting the significance of the event in fostering connections among members from both cities of Winneba and Charlottesville.

I praised the Charlottesville group for their continuous support in granting aid to various sectors of our local economy.

I mentioned, among other things, reading materials to fill the various libraries in the municipality, a fire-fighting machine, an ambulance, as well as medical equipment for the Winneba Government Hospital and the Trauma and Specialist Hospital as some of the support granted by the Sister City in Charlottesville.

I encouraged participants at the dinner to seize the opportunity to network and build lasting relationships, adding that the event offers an opportunity to connect with each other by sharing experiences and creating bonds that will last beyond the present.

The highlight of the night was the presentation and decoration of the sixteen-member delegation with beautiful Kente sashes made in the colors of the Ghanaian flag as a show of love and appreciation to the group by their counterparts in Winneba.

The Farewell Dinner was attended by Dignitaries including our Paramount Chief of the Effutu Traditional Area and Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, Neenyi Ghartey VII, the Effutu Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr. Alhasan Abdullai Issifu as well as some Heads of Department and Senior Staff of the Assembly.

02/01/2025

Our picturesque town was the scene of excitement with the celebration of a vibrant and culturally rich, annually held Masquerade Festival on January 1, 2025.

The 2025 event of the historical festival, rooted in longstanding traditions, symbolizes new beginnings by fostering community unity and serving as a platform for artistic expression. It was organized by Navida Travel and Tour in collaboration with the Winneba Masquerade Federation.

At the heart of this year’s treasured event, dubbed “Navida Masquefest 2025,” were four distinct groups of masqueraders, each representing a unique blend of tradition and innovation, with a massive display of beautifully crafted masks to suit their costumes. Approximately 9,000 attendees, including locals, expatriates, and visitors from around the world, gathered at the Winneba Advance Park, creating an atmosphere brimming with creativity and excitement.

After months of preparation preceding the celebration on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, the four groups performed dances in batches across three genres of dance: Slow Dance, Highlife, and Fast Dance, in a battle for supremacy to secure the ultimate prize.

At the end of the event, the Nobles No. 1 group, for the second time running, emerged as victors, followed by Egyaa No. 2 group and Red Cross No. 4 coming in 3rd, with Royals No. 5 placing 4th respectively.

Addressing the gathering, I called for discipline and unity among the Effutu people to bring about development.

These values are crucial for fostering harmony and progress in the Municipality, regardless of the administration at the helm of affairs.

I charged the leadership of the Masquerade Federation and its members to value peace and unity to help drive sustainable development in the municipality. By embracing these principles, I believe we will lean towards the path of progress and maximize the gains made to continue on the positive trajectory of development.

31/12/2024

Ahead of the Masquerade Festival, my outfit received a delegation from Winneba’s Sister City group in Charlottesville, VA, in the United States of America today at the Assembly’s Auditorium.

The team announced that they had arrived in Ghana to partner with the good people of Effutu for the celebration of the Masquerade Festival, which is an integral part of our rich cultural heritage.

I welcomed the delegation and assured them of the Assembly’s readiness to assist them in exploring all avenues of friendship and investment that bind our two cities together.

I expressed my gratitude to the Charlottesville group for their continuous support throughout my tenure as Municipal Chief Executive.

I pledged my commitment to the union of friendship and brotherhood established with the Charlottesville Sister City group by making myself available for assistance and support anytime they visit Effutu, to strengthen the bond between our two cities.

30/11/2024

Thirty-nine outstanding teaching and non-teaching staff in basic and second cycle schools in the Municipality were honored for their hard work and dedicated service towards educational growth in the municipality on Friday, November 29, 2024.

The awards ceremony, which marked the fourth edition of the Effutu Teachers Awards, was initiated and sponsored by our Member of Parliament, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, and organized by the Municipal Directorate of Education.

The event, which was well attended by dignitaries, including the Paramount Chief of the Effutu Traditional Area, Nenyi Ghartey VII, was held under the theme “Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards A New Social Contract for Education.”

Our MP’s zeal for instituting the annual awards for teachers in the Municipality stems from the fact that he represents the heartbeat of educational excellence in Effutu.

Valuing teacher voices helps to create an effective, inclusive, and responsive educational system. Quality education fosters a skilled workforce needed for the progress of any community.

The thirty-nine (39) award winners received various prizes, including certificates, citations, double-door refrigerators, 43-inch colored television sets, gas ovens, and a cash amount of GHC 1,000.00 each.

19/11/2024

In a strategic move to enhance security and promote peace in the Municipality, the Majority Leader of Ghana’s 8th Parliament, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, donated two 4x4 Changan Hunter pickup trucks and office logistics to the Winneba Police Central Band and the Winneba Divisional Police Command.

The donation, which included sets of computers and printers, 33 laptops, and a brand-new engine for the Command’s broken-down Navara pickup vehicle, underscores his commitment to supporting the Municipality’s safety and well-being, aligning with his vision and efforts to contribute positively to the overall development of the municipality.

Presenting the keys of the vehicles on behalf of our lawmaker at a short ceremony at the forecourt of the Divisional Police Headquarters on Monday, November 18, 2024, I noted that Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin heeded the call to support the Police Service in the municipality with the strong conviction that the Service would be better positioned to work towards ensuring that the peace and security of all constituents are guaranteed.

I expressed optimism that this gesture would enhance the capabilities of the Winneba Police and ease the burden of providing quality policing to reduce the crime rate in the constituency, especially before, during, and after the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.

I entreated the Police to ensure that the vehicles are not only maintained but also used for their intended purpose.

14/11/2024

The Budget Analysts Association of Ghana (BAAG) today opened its Second Annual Conference in Winneba to brainstorm measures for the advancement of the association and financial management in the public sector.

The two-day conference, held under the theme “Effective Resource Allocation for Sustainable Development,” brought together hundreds of BAAG members from across the country to deliberate on pertinent issues militating against the budgeting profession, as well as to exchange knowledge, ideas, and experiences for best practices in budgeting to enhance the class and improve service delivery in the public and local government services.

In an address to open the conference, I noted that budget analysts stand at the intersection of policy and practice, where informed analysis and strategic foresight shape the very fabric of the nation’s development agenda.

The expertise of budget analysts empowers decision-makers to allocate resources efficiently, ensuring that investments yield sustainable outcomes for future generations.

I intimated that effective resource allocation hinges on several key principles, including data collection, where reliable data is gathered and analyzed to accurately identify needs, helping leaders allocate resources to areas where they are most needed to have the greatest impact on the lives of the people.

I reminded budget analysts of the role they play in forming the plans of the country’s financial strategies, as well as wielding data and insights to inform resource allocation decisions. The analysis by the budget analysts guides the identification of priority areas that require immediate attention and investment.

09/11/2024

A 40-year-old farmer, Gilbert Ansah, was adjudged the Effutu Municipal Best Farmer on Friday, November 8, 2024, at the 40th Municipal Farmers' Day Celebration held at Osubonpanyin.

Mr. Gilbert Ansah, a native of Atekyedo, a community in the Municipality, received as his prize a tricycle, two knapsack sprayers, five pairs of Wellington boots, two boxes of weedicide, and five cutlasses.

The Municipal Best Farmer has been in the agriculture business for the past 13 years, owning several acres of farm commodities including seven acres of sweet pepper, 20 acres of cabbage, two acres of okra, one acre of cucumber, and two acres of carrots. He also owns a variety of livestock, including goats and local birds.

In total, 14 farmers and one agriculture extension staff member were awarded in various categories of farming for the year ending 2024, bringing the total number of award winners to 15.

The 2024 edition of the event was celebrated under the theme: “Building Climate-Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security.”

Speaking at the event, I noted that climate change, with its erratic weather patterns, rising temperatures, and extreme events, poses a significant threat to agriculture and food production in the country.

Farmers continuously experience firsthand the impacts of climate change, which requires urgent attention to protect health, food supplies, biodiversity, and livelihoods across the globe.

Resilient climate agriculture involves adapting practices to not only withstand these changes but to thrive in them by using sustainable methods that conserve natural resources and ensure food sufficiency and security for generations yet unborn.

I advised farmers to embrace sustainable agricultural practices that promote soil health, enhance biodiversity, and reduce carbon footprints.

Investing in sustainable farming practices leads to the investment of the health and well-being of the entire population, food security goes beyond having enough food but having access to nutritious, affordable food and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow strong and healthy.

30/10/2024

The Executive Committee of the Effutu Municipal Assembly held its final meeting for the 2024 administrative year on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at the Municipal Assembly’s Conference Hall in Winneba.

The meeting, among other things, considered the reports and recommendations from the various sub-committees, discussions on the 2025 Composite Budget and Fee Fixing Resolution, as well as the 2025 Annual Action Plan. It also provided a platform for committee members to review and deliberate on the reports submitted for their attention and consideration.

The conveners of the various sub-committees, including Social Services, Justice and Security, Finance and Administration, Development Planning, and Works, led the presentation of their respective sub-committee reports for consideration and onward submission to the General Assembly for approval or otherwise.

I expressed my satisfaction with the progress made by the committees and their commitment to serving the interests of the good people of Effutu.

I encouraged members of the Executive Committee to place the interests of their respective electoral areas and that of the Municipality as a whole first in the consideration of the business on the order paper for the general good of the people they represent.

I charged members to continue focusing on innovative solutions, especially in areas such as revenue mobilization, as well as balancing short-term actions with long-term goals for the sustainable development of Effutu.

28/10/2024

The Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Winneba held a Thanksgiving Mass and Durbar on Sunday, October 27, 2024, to celebrate its 100 years of existence, nourishing the body and soul of the faithful as well as contributing to the development of the community. This event was themed “100 Years of Evangelism - Going Forward with Communion, Participation, and Mission.”

Established in 1924 with the hope of promoting the “infinite goodness and the blessings He promised to the blessed Margaret Mary” to the good people of Winneba and its surrounding communities, the church has significantly contributed to the growth of Effutu, with many foundational stories relevant to the current generation of Catholic faithful in the municipality.

A century later, the church, which has since become part of the Cape Coast Archdiocese of the Catholic Church, has transformed lives, educated many, and created jobs through its humanitarian ventures, while also leading the charge for total peace in the municipality during times of disagreement among people.

Touching on the theme, I noted that it is not just a call to action but a reminder of the foundation on which the church stands.

I reminded the congregants of their shared faith and unity in a society often divided, urging them to come together as one body, sharing in the love and grace that the Lord has extended to the people.

I encouraged members to actively engage in the Church’s mission in diverse ways through volunteer work, community service, and by supporting the needy, in a bid to ensure that the Catholic Church remains vibrant and responsive to the needs of the community.

I praised the enormous contributions of the Catholic Church to the socio-economic development of the country, adding that the Church has nurtured men and women of high morals over the years, who have contributed immensely to the nation.

Congratulations to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church on this milestone! I urge you to continue to uphold the tenets of the Catholic faith.

19/10/2024

19/10/2024

My outfit, in line with the Public Financial Management Regulations, 2019 (LI 2378), hosted Zone 1 of the 2024 Regional Budget Hearing at the Assembly’s Conference Hall.

The Budget Hearing, instituted in 2011, is part of the fiscal decentralization reforms aimed at providing opportunities for MMDAs to review their performance and discuss priority programs and projects for the coming year within the national framework.

The Zone comprised Districts, including our Municipal Assembly, Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly, Awutu Senya West District Assembly, and Gomoa East District Assembly. This arrangement allowed various stakeholders involved in the Assemblies' development agenda, drawn from the four Assemblies, to participate in the process.

The hearing will enhance the transparency of the budget formulation processes and provide opportunities for stakeholders to engage in the formulation of the District Budget, thereby strengthening our accountability.

I urged the respective Assemblies to learn from each other’s experiences during the presentation and discussion segments to ensure holistic development of the region.

I encouraged the four Municipal and District Assemblies to be innovative in their approaches to swiftly advance and improve their performance and service delivery.

16/10/2024

Today, my outfit proudly donated items valued at GHc 94,008.72 to 22 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), aiming to significantly improve their livelihoods and empower them within our community.

The beneficiaries received essential items such as chest freezers, ice chests, industrial sewing machines, plastic chairs, fabrics, bags of charcoal, and drinks. These contributions are not just gifts, they are tools for independence and self-sufficiency.

This donation aligns with the government's constitutional commitment to support PWDs, demonstrating a proactive approach to ensuring their inclusion and well-being in society. It reflects our unwavering dedication to making life more comfortable and equitable for all citizens, especially those who face additional challenges.

I urged the beneficiaries to utilize these items for their intended purposes, enhancing their lives and the lives of those who depend on them. Let's continue to champion the rights and needs of PWDs, ensuring they are not just seen, but heard and supported in every aspect of life.